Why our aircraft made air return to Lagos - Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has disclosed why it’s flight operating from Lagos to Doha, made an unplanned return to Lagos on Friday night.

In a statement by the airline, it the airline confirmed that it’s flight QR 1406, operating from Lagos to Doha, “made an unplanned return to Lagos due to a technical issue that occurred in flight.”

Recalled that no fewer than 248 passengers were rescued on Friday night after a Qatar Airways aircraft developed a technical fault mid-air and was forced to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

“The cockpit crew followed established procedures and landed the aircraft safely.

“All passengers have disembarked safely and are being taken care of on the ground and will be booked on the next suitable flights to reach their destination as soon as possible,” the airline stated.

Related News

The airline assured that the safety of its passengers and crew is always its priority and apologized for inconvenience caused.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency had earlier confirmed that the aircraft, which was fully loaded with 248 passengers and 12 crew members, encountered the problem while airborne within Nigerian airspace, triggering distress alerts and an immediate emergency response.

According to a preliminary report by LASEMA, the agency said it activated the state’s emergency response plan immediately upon receiving the distress call through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.

According to a release by LASEMA, the pilot, with the support of the emergency responders, executed a safe landing on the runway, and all occupants were evacuated without injuries or loss of life.

Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, confirmed that the agency’s response teams, along with other emergency responders, were on high alert and stood by during the landing.

“The collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated, and after proper checks, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and repairs,” he said.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.